Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 631,878?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6318782 x 3159393 x 2106266 x 10531313 x 4860626 x 2430339 x 1620278 x 8101
Negative: -1 x -631878-2 x -315939-3 x -210626-6 x -105313-13 x -48606-26 x -24303-39 x -16202-78 x -8101


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 631,878?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 631,878, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 631,878
-1 -631,878

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 631,878.

Example:
1 x 631,878 = 631,878
and
-1 x -631,878 = 631,878
Notice both answers equal 631,878

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 631,878 and divide it by 2:

631,878 ÷ 2 = 315,939

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 315,939 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 315,939 631,878
-1 -2 -315,939 -631,878

Now, we try dividing 631,878 by 3:

631,878 ÷ 3 = 210,626

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 210,626 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 3 210,626 315,939 631,878
-1 -2 -3 -210,626 -315,939 -631,878

Let's try dividing by 4:

631,878 ÷ 4 = 157,969.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 157,969.5 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 3 210,626 315,939 631,878
-1 -2 -3 -210,626 -315,939 631,878
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

1236132639788,10116,20224,30348,606105,313210,626315,939631,878
-1-2-3-6-13-26-39-78-8,101-16,202-24,303-48,606-105,313-210,626-315,939-631,878

More Examples

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